Preparation of cellulose nanofibril/titanium dioxide nanoparticle nanocomposites as fillers for PVA-based packaging and investigation into their intestinal toxicity

Abstract The aims of this work were to synthesize cellulose nanofibril/titanium dioxide nanoparticle (CNF/TiO2NP) nanocomposites, evaluate the use of CNF/TiO2NP nanocomposites in PVA-based films, and investigate the intestinal toxicity of the nanocomposites. Via a mixing method, CNF/TiO2NP nanocomposites were synthesized. The addition of the nanocomposites significantly enhanced the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and light barrier capacity of PVA films. Moreover, a high concentration of CNF/TiO2NP nanocomposites (10 mg/mL) had no appreciable effect on the growth of Escherichia coli P-24, Lactobacillus acidophilus ADH, and Bifidobacterium animalis Bif-6 cells. The nanocomposites did not exhibit significant toxicity to cancerous and normal colon cells even when their concentrations increased to a high level of 1000 μg/mL. The results indicate that CNF/TiO2NP nanocomposites can potentially be used as functional fillers for a PVA-based packaging system.